Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This may sound like a dumb question but what stops different ssp. from breeding to one another when they occur in the same area?

...its not dumb @all, & the answer isnt as quick as the ?

Theres a host of mechanisms at play keeping "sibling spps" (= derived from a common ancestor) that are sympatric (= same area)from interbreeding...the longer the time frame since the original seperation, the stronger these mechanisms tend to function. Thus for example Ca. quail & Gambels quail will readily interbreed, whereas scaled quail & gambels quail rarely do.

In snakes; scents are likely the biggest factor, periods of breeding activity, size, microhabitat selection all likely play some role too. I suspect w/ wild crotalids, the sow may be courted but apparently rejects the amourous boars, tho in captivity...perhaps boredom takes over????

That is correct however a friend found a yellow rat snake trying to breed with a dead water snake in the road once.

Thanks....that makes sense